Category Archive Small Business

We are privileged to partner with Barclays Bank Business Club to provide mentoring and coaching services to their members. How timely that it came in our month of Profitable Partnerships.

As a Founder walking with others is not an option if you desire MEGA success. Walking with the “right” others can catapult you into your dreams and desires faster and more comfortably.

A partner is someone or an institution that shares your values and complements your mission. Partnerships are very much like marriages where one articulates what they are looking for to support their success and aligns with another who has complementing qualities.

As an organization that seeks to provide access to capital to its community, we partner with financial institutions that are able to complete that piece of the puzzle on our behalf and we are able to provide capacity building for their communities and thus profitable partnerships are formed.

To be a profitable partner, you need to articulate your vision, values and mission so that you can find people and institutions that complement yours. Manage your expectations by expressing what you want and ask questions instead of making assumptions. Consistent communication is critical for the success of any partnership.

Willingness to adapt and adjust as the two partners get to know each other and experience working together is also crucial. Both parties should be willing to make it work for the partnership to work. No part should bully another because of resources or size as each party is important in the success of the entire partnership and delivery of services.

Perfect partners do not exist, perfect conditions exist for a limited time in which partnerships express themselves best. — Wayne Rooney

When I speak on networking, one question I am always asked is “when will I get results?”

I find it an interesting question because the answer can be determined by various factors controlled by YOU! Here are some…

Why do you network? When you have no target it will be difficult to measure results.

Are you a member of a network group that is aligned with your networking objectives? You have to know the make up of your networking groups. Are they Consumers, Reporters or Investors. This will help you craft your pitch appropriately. (Refer to last week’s Digest for definitions on the 3)

Do you participate consistently at the groups you are a member in? No matter how good your excuse is for missing a meeting, it can never make up for results. Create time to participate and ensure your prioritize your network meetings. It is part of your marketing strategy. You do not show up, do not expect results!

Do you add value to the members in your networking groups? What goes round, comes around. Expecting something for nothing is a sure recipe for failure.

What is your LQ? (Likablity Quotient) As in do you go out of your way to meet the members one on one? Staying in your comfort zone with people like you is a stealer of greatness. Take the initiative to meet every one in your group and you will enjoy amazing results.

Networking is a process and its activities should be part of your daily routine because your actions will determine your results. When you put in 50% effort and 50% excuses, do not expect a 100% results. Networking success is dependent on you!

Even though I have not heard of any success stories of elevator pitching, I agree there is no harm in having a succinct message for when an opportunity arises.

In Nairobi, the elevators I get into are normally so crowded, that I can’t even imagine pitching to someone in one. Anyway, there are some key pointers on how to pitch so that it is not only natural but also appealing to the person you are pitching to.

This Saturday at Thrive November Edition, I will be speaking on How to Pitch for Profit. What are the main considerations – the Place, the Person, the Purpose, the Pitch and then the Profit. Join me and the Trailblazers Chapter of Profit Network as we share on this very important topic.